Barbour's 25 propel Reach to OT win
May 16, 2004 - World Basketball Association (WBA)
Kentucky Reach News Release
Elizabethtown, Ky. â There's a popular adage that says "sometimes it's better to be lucky than good."
Certainly, that was the case for Kentucky Reach, an World Basketball Association franchise, who pulled off a 96-90 victory over the visiting Bristol Crusaders on Saturday.
Kentucky Reach trailed 59-46 with eight minutes remaining in regulation and seemed headed for its third home-court loss of the season, however fate had other plans for the Elizabethtown, KY based squad.
Keyed by the strong play of former Univerisity of Kentucky standout Antwain Barbour (25 points in 24 minutes) and former LSU guard Lamont Roland (24 points, 13 rebounds), the Reach clawed its way back to take a 62-61 lead with four minutes remaining. From then on it was nip-and-tuck. Trailing 77-74 with 15 seconds remaining, it was former University of Alabama standout Antoine Pettway's long-range three pointer that tied the score at 77-all.
Trying for one last gamble however, Pettway fouled Bristol's John Oden on the ensuing possession trying to make a steal near mid-court. Fortunately of the Reach, Oden missed both free throw attempts (including an air ball on the first attempt) with four seconds remaining. Pettway, who added 19 points, had one last chance to hit the game-winning shot, but the point guard's jumper fell short sending the game to overtime.
In the extra 5-minute session, it seemed everything went Kentucky Reach's way. Leading 90-84, it was former Bellarmine University standout Jared McCurry's deep 3-pointer with 60 second remaining that proved to be the final dagger. The shot gave the Reach a comfortable 93-84 lead and ultimately sealed the deal as the remaining minute proved to be a foul-fest. Barbour and Roland each scored seven points during the overtime to propel Kentucky Reach (4-4). It marked the second-time this season that the Reach had upended Bristol (4-4).
Kentucky Reach owed much of its success to winning the battle of the boards. The Reach held a commanding 60-48 rebounding advantage led by the strong play of 6-7 forward Rob Lewin. The former Troy State product pulled down 20 rebounds (6 offensive) to go along with 10 points. Roland added 13 rebounds, five of which were offensive.
Bristol built a 29-22 halftime advantage and really let the game slip away during Kentucky Reach's 20-6 fourth-quarter blitz. The run so upset Bristol coach Rick Benitz that he kicked a chair bench-side and was assessed a technical foul for unsportsman-like conduct.
Reach guard Derek Robinson of Western Kentucky fame, was also ejected in the second-half after having been assessed with two technicals.
The Crusaders were paced by Anthony Jones, who scored 20 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Zakee Wadood and Oden chipped in with 15 points apiece.
Kentucky Reach will host the Southern Cresent (GA) Lightning on 2 pm Sunday at Central Hardin High School.
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World Basketball Association Stories from May 16, 2004
- Barbour's 25 propel Reach to OT win - Kentucky Reach
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